Summer in Alaska

We've been back from Alaska for a couple of weeks now, and I am enjoying summer activities, walks with Bobo the Husky, and Bay Area weather. I have so many wonderful memories of our ten-day visit in Juneau with my husband, mom, Aunt Char, brother, sister, and nieces. We had a wonderful mix of misty, rainy days and warm sunny days. We also enjoyed a wonderful celebration of my dad's life, spent time out in nature, caught up on each other's lives and enjoyed time together. I've written about some of that in Field Notes for July 2026 (see entries from July 15 to 23), but wanted to add a few more memories (in no particular order)!

The Fish Creek Park on Douglas Island

A group of us hiked out to to the pond at Fish Creek Park on Douglas Island. We visited the pond periodically during the visit to check on tadpole development. The tadpoles enjoy gathering in the shallows near the shoreline and basking in the sun. We enjoyed the warm sun as well.

Hiking out to the pond

Looking for tadpoles at the water's edge

We were in luck and saw quite a few tadpoles wriggling together in a huge mass. (On a subsequent visit, they were not in sight near the shore, but we saw evidence of them further out in the pond). Rick, brother Dave, and I hiked around the perimeter of the man-made pond. Mom, Aunt Char, and Marianne enjoyed conversing under the shelter by the lake.

Tadpoles in the shallows at water's edge

Several of us hiked all the way around the pond

Celebration of Life

We had a lovely Celebration of Life for Dad - held in the home that he and Mom built over the years. It was warm, casual, and low-key, and I think Dad would have liked it (although he might have squirmed to hear all the lovely things that people said about him). After a brief introduction and welcome by Mom, anyone who wished related memories and stories, and commented on the impact of his life. Cousins Jen and Chris joined in via text messages.

Thea, Marianne, and Sarah

Mom, Dave, and Rick

Then we sang some old family songs, accompanied by friend Marge Osborne on piano (Shenandoah, Home on the Range, Red River Valley, and Down in the Valley). This was a challenge for some of us, who cannot carry a tune in a basket, but by the third or fourth round, our voices were warmed up and we enjoyed it quite a lot. We ended our singing with Amazing Grace. Dad wasn't religious but he liked some of the old hymns, possibly harkening back to his youth.

Mom and Marge run through the music to get us started

Sarah, Marg, Aunt Char, Dave, and Thea (part of the choir)

We ended the celebration at Mar y Sol for delicious Mexican food and great conversation, in a festive environment. Dad would have enjoyed it, possibly ordering enchiladas, tacos, or chili rellenos (or a combo plate of all three).

Our favorite spot for Mexican food

Downtown Juneau

On our last full day in Juneau, Rick and I enjoyed breakfast at The Sandpiper (formerly, The Fiddlehead), followed by shopping in downtown Juneau. I love the old Victorian buildings from gold rush days , which have been gussied up for the tourists.

A quick photo down Franklin Street

View of Front Street

We walked around the food truck court, and then purchased a stuffed animal for Bobo the Husky. In a previous visit to town, I had procured dark chocolate almond clusters and a few sweet treats at The Alaskan Fudge Company.

A view up Franklin Street, including the food truck court

Shopping for Bobo the Husky (he loved the stuffie - to death)

Overstreet Park and Totems

On a beautiful, warm, sunny day, we visited Overstreet Park near downtown Juneau. I've reported on the whale sculpture, the beautiful park-like setting, and the meandering boardwalk that leads to downtown Juneau and the cruise ships. It was a perfect day for strolling or just lounging in the sun.

Mom and Aunt Char stroll towards Tahku

Tahku breaching

The boardwalk crosses the tidal zone and Gold Creek and offers stunning views down channel. This time of year there are often five or six cruise ships at any one time, either docked or coming and going.

Cruise ships docked near downtown Juneau

New (to me) totem pole - I love the black boots on the bottom figure
 (and seeing traditional art evolve over time)

Dave, Aunt Char, and Mom enjoying the sun

Beaver Ponds on Douglas Island

Dave and I explored a series of beaver ponds on Douglas Island. There is a nice trail system in the area, which makes it easy to navigate through the woods along the waterway. Sometimes the beaver pond floods so the elevated paths and planks over the water are welcome. Dave is a great natural history guide and hiking companion.

Dave on the trail

A flooded area

The water level in the beaver pond is actually higher than the trail, so the area is prone to flooding. It is pretty remarkable to see how beaver activity changes the landscape.

View of the beaver dam beyond the skunk cabbage

Another interesting slime mold, possibly Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa)

Dave and I walked the isthmus out to the little island in the background, and then walked around the island's perimeter. We were sprinkled with light rain on the way.

The fireweed are in bloom

Mendenhall Glacier and Skater's Cabin

We drove out to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to take a look at the glacier, but it was jammed with tour busses and people enjoying the trails and views, so we drove over to the Skater's Cabin instead. As the name suggests, this cabin provides shelter for ice skaters when Mendenhall Lake freezes over. We enjoyed relative solitude and views of the glacier.

View of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls from the Skater's Cabin

The Skater's Cabin

Enjoying the view

A Few Random Memories

To close out my trip report, I'm including a few random memories. For part of the visit, we rented a large SUV with seating for seven from Juneau Car Rental. I was a little concerned when they brought out a black SUV that was pitted with one inch dents. Apparently someone had rented the car in Texas and had driven through a hail storm (we were assured we wouldn't be held accountable). The car ran great despite its dents, and we learned that everyone who rents the car comes up with a story (it was pelted with golf balls, or survived a gangster attack, or something similar). This is so Alaska - we fit right in with the locals!

Our rental car hand been dented in a hail storm

Juneau is a very charming town, situated by the Gastineau Channel and nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts. I love this view of the town, taken high up Blueberry Hill on Douglas Island.

View of Juneau from Blueberry Hill on Douglas Island

We had three generations of sisters together for this visit, so my brother took a few pictures. What a great group of wonderful, capable, talented women (from young, to younger, to youngest)!

Three generations of sisters (photo by Dave Harris)

The firewood was in bloom out on the beaches, meadows, and grasslands. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) blooms from the bottom up. In mid-July it had bloomed about half-way up the stem, depending on where it was growing. When it has bloomed all the way up the stem, the locals know that summer is coming to an end and fall is close at hand. This can evoke mixed emotions - the pleasure of inside activities as well as the dread of long, dark days (see Winter in Alaska)! Luckily we have the good memories of bright summer days in the company of friends and family to help us through!

Fireweed near Outer Point on Douglas Island